Check out the GSG 1911-22 or the same pistol at a higher price from Sig

another to check out is the one Colt lets Walther- Umarex build.

I've been doing as much online research into all three of these as one possibly can do, and I'm not sold on the GSG due to reports of the poor finish on them rubbing off in certain areas. The Colt looks a whole lot better, and cheaper than the RIA to boot.

Quote:
Originally Posted by pilpens
I would have gotten one months ago but the slide does not lock open when empty.
Forgive my limited understanding as I'm a bit new to this, but why was that an issue?

I don't know if that's true as I never deeply researched the RIA 1911-22 as it was a tad too high than what I was looking to spend solely on a range gun (honestly, if money were no factor I would have bought it ).

The slide staying open upon an empty mag is nice/practical in that it makes for a quick reload as well as notifying the shooter he's out. Nice feature but not a 'determining' factor for me.

Quote:

I've been doing as much online research into all three of these as one possibly can do, and I'm not sold on the GSG due to reports of the poor finish on them rubbing off in certain areas. The Colt looks a whole lot better, and cheaper than the RIA to boot.

As mentioned above, I have the GSG (same as SIG) model 1911-22. The finish is nothing more than a bit above average in my view but certainly not a deal killer. When I was researching the Colt Umarex 1911-22 offering I felt it was just a bit behind the GSG/SIG 1911-22 equivalent in terms of quality/durability (for the record solely my opinion as I have not had direct hands on with the Colt Umarex 1911-22).

When I was researching which 1911-22 plinker gun to get, I really found two that were unique in that the offered an all-metal frame/slide and those were the RIA and CZ (though the CZ isn't a 1911-22 model so to speak but still very pretty and durably reliable). Almost all of the other offerings in the .22lr semi market (S&W M&P, GSG/SIG, Browning, Colt and even the Ruger SR22 use cheaper types of metallic base material on their respective slides (some people refer to Zamak slides as "pot-metal" for example).

I will note that I have just passed the 2500 mark with my new GSG using cheap bulk ammo 90% of the time and CCI premium HV when I am doing serious competitive type shooting--Love the gun as it feels every-bit like my 1911 .45 auto.

-Cheers

__________________NRA Life Member
“A free people ought...to be armed..."
―George Washington

Thanks for that overview. I'm certainly not attached to any one of these guns. I wouldn't mind getting the GSG knowing it's a solid handgun that I could run a few dozen thousand rounds through. A lower price would allow me more funds for extra magazines too.

When I was researching which 1911-22 plinker gun to get, I really found two that were unique in that the offered an all-metal frame/slide and those were the RIA and CZ (though the CZ isn't a 1911-22 model so to speak but still very pretty and durably reliable). Almost all of the other offerings in the .22lr semi market (S&W M&P, GSG/SIG, Browning, Colt and even the Ruger SR22 use cheaper types of metallic base material on their respective slides (some people refer to Zamak slides as "pot-metal" for example).

It appears you overlooked the Kimber Rimfire (yes, they sell a complete pistol as well as a .22 conversion). It's all aluminum alloy -- no Zamak.

Good point in that it's another option for the "No Zamak for me Guys." Yet if the CZ and RIA were out of my price range, the $700 Kimber was not on my personal radar screen. I'm not really a .22lr competitive shooter so that why I set a budget for it when I was researching this (pretty much a plinker). However, if money were no factor...

__________________NRA Life Member
“A free people ought...to be armed..."
―George Washington

Do bear in mind that the likely reason that the RIA costs more than some of the alternatives such as the GSG is that the RIA offering is all steel rather than zamak or aluminum. I believe it will also accept a .45acp slide/barrel assembly which I suppose is pretty nifty.

__________________
"My momma, she done told me, there's heart and then there's hate
If one of 'em's inside of you, the other one, it aint."

Raftman, can you confirm if the RIA in fact does not leave the slide open after the last round has been fired? It does appear to be the best option of the guns on this list, and I don't mind paying for quality as I know I'll keep it a while, but I'd at least like to have something representative of a true 1911. The GSG advertises itself as having 80% interchangeable parts with other 1911s, which is an attractive feature, but I'm not convinced it's on the same level of quality as the RIA.

The XT-22 Pistol represents what I feel to be the best combat 1911 .22 pistol available today. Unlike most .22 1911 conversions, this pistol is built as a complete gun. I designed it to be simply the toughest longest lasting .22 1911 you can buy. It is the only .22 1911 with a forged 4140 steel slide…..and the only .22 1911 with a one piece 4140 chrome moly barrel. All other conversions pale in comparison with their aluminum slides and two piece welded barrels. And the XT-22 is the ideal for target shooters or plinkers that want excellent accuracy…..since it's open slide design allows for mounting of our target rib ( Models available with full length Aluminum scope mount rib). I will be offering custom versions of this awesome pistol through my website, so pls inquire about how to get one!

That's good to hear. It really is looking like a very nice option. The last round holding open isn't a deal breaker for me personally. My main concern with it being like a normal 1911 is with regard to the interchangeability of some parts should something break, but if it is built well enough, I don't think that would really ever be an issue. It's still something I take into consideration.

you mean ria 1911 .22tcm? all i can say is when i tried it in the range,after i finished the whole mag,its a whooooah!!! like a dragon breathing of fire even on daylight,with the lightest recoil ever,for a muzzle energy of +2100feet/sec,you are lucky because here in the philippines where it is actually made it cost around $1200,it also comes with a 9mm conversion barrel that can easily converted in seconds.i think its a very nice buy there buddy.

I can live without the open barrel at the last round for a dedicated target practice range gun. I just finished watching two youtube vids from a guy named hickok45 who reviewed a .45 ATI 1911 (same company from what I'm understanding), and with the exception of shooting too low, it seems to be a very well built gun and a great value.

I spoke to a friend of mine as well, and he mentioned that all of his military buddies swear by RIA/Armscor guns, saying they're dead reliable and an incredible value.

I own one and it's a fine pistol.
All steel with a heavy bull barrel and walnut double diamond grips.
It feels good in the hand, real good.
Trigger is sweet. Better than my Kimber Rimfire Target's trigger and the RIA uses the same mags as the Kimber. Handy.
It's very accurate, and a far sight better built than the current crop of German 1911-22s.
It does not lock open on the last round, not a deal breaker for me, and it does not properly fit a standard 1911 holster.
I'm very happy with mine.

The obvious theory of why many reputable companies (S&W, Ruger, GSG, SIG, Colt etc...) have elected to use Zamak (or an equivalent thereof) on their respective slides is 1) it cuts down quite a bit on costs and 2) the vendors belief that the .22lr does not call for an all-steel/alloy/aluminum slide compared to its big sister the .45acp.

As I said earlier, my GSG has been rock-solid after a couple of K downrange--yet if I was not evaluating my .22lr candidates with money being a key variable in that equation, I jump on the RIA or CZ (not too familiar with the others like Kimber in .22lr). If one is willing to spend $500+ on a .22lr range plinker it's a done-deal.

-Cheers

__________________NRA Life Member
“A free people ought...to be armed..."
―George Washington

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